The Rock - April 2024

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Chris Soutar

Scott Daugherty

Chris has lived in the Plymouth / Canton community since 1994. Some his local favorites are: Campari’s on the Park, Basement Burger, Mexican Fiesta II, Pizza Vino, Spoons Place, Central City Dance Center.

Chris has lived in the Plymouth / Canton community since 1994. Some of his local favorites are: Campari’s on the Park, Basement Burger, Mexican Fiesta II, Pizza Vino, Spoons Place, Central City Dance Center.

csoutrar@billbrownford.com

Office:(734) 524-2715

Mobile: (734) 765-8980

Scott has lived in the Plymouth / Canton Community since 2002. Some his local favorites are: Crow’s Nest (Canton), Golf at Pheasant Run Golf Course (Canton), Spoons Place, Palermo Pizza, DCFC Soccer.

Scott has lived in the Plymouth / Canton Community since 2002. Some of his local favorites are: Crow’s Nest (Canton), Golf at Pheasant Run Golf Course (Canton), Spoons Place, Palermo Pizza, DCFC Soccer.

sdaugherty@billbrownford.com

Office:(734) 524-2773

Mobile: (555) 555-1212

Local Journalism Matters

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Your support is vital if you would like to see us survive and grow. The Rock is sent free to every address in Plymouth, yet is not free to produce.

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To secure space in an upcoming issue of The Rock, contact Advertising Director Scott Buie at (313) 399-5231, or via email at scottbuie@therockmagazine.com or advertising@therockmagazine.com.

KURT KUBAN – Publisher

Kurt is an award-winning journalist, having served as a reporter and editor for several local newspapers and magazines, including the Plymouth Observer He has been a journalist for over two decades. He founded Journeyman Publishing, which also publishes The ‘Ville, in 2017.

SCOTT SPIELMAN – Editor

Scott graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Journalism. He covered western Wayne County for more than 12 years at several publications before transitioning into corporate communications and media relations. A Canton resident, he has also finished his first novel and is hard at work on his next.

SCOTT BUIE – Advertising Director/Vice President of Sales

Scott has 20+ years creating advertising campaigns for clients in Metro Detroit. After managing sales for radio stations for 17 years he purchased Street Marketing, where he works closely with a variety of businesses and events. Scott and his family have lived in the Plymouth/Northville area for over 23 years.

JENNY PEARSALL – Creative Director

Jenny has been in the design and print industry for over twenty years, holding various positions in graphic design, print buying, production and print management. She also owns Bovia Design Group, a company specializing in publications and corporate branding.

BRAD KADRICH – Writer

Brad is an award-winning journalist who spent more than 20 years covering the Plymouth community for the Plymouth Observer. He also spent 15 years serving his country in the U.S. Air Force.

BRAD EMONS – Writer

Over the course of his four decades with the Observer & Eccentric, Brad established himself as one of the preeminent prep sports reporters in the state, winning many journalism awards along the way. His greatest joy is interviewing local athletes and coaches, and reporting on their efforts.

SUE VOYLES – Writer

Growing up, Sue always knew she wanted to be a writer. She has written for many publications over her long career in public relations and journalism, and taught English and journalism at Schoolcraft College. In 2022, she received the national Headliner Award from the Association for Women in Communications.

TIM SMITH – Writer

Tim brings a penchant for telling personal stories that run the gamut from news to sports. During more than 35 years in journalism, mostly with the Observer & Eccentric, he has earned numerous state and national awards. The Wayne State grad is a published author and rec ice hockey player.

KEN VOYLES – Writer/Photographer

Ken is an award-winning writer, photographer and designer whose career has spanned nearly five decades in and around metro Detroit. He started his journalism career in Plymouth, working for the Community Crier. He is the author of two books on Detroit history, loves to travel and has finished his first novel.

BRYAN MITCHELL – Photographer

Bryan started working as a photographer more than 30 years ago, and was a staff photographer for the Plymouth Observer in the 90s. He has freelanced for The Detroit News, The Guardian, Reuters, and other publications. His photography has appeared in newspapers and magazines around the globe.

BILL BRESLER – Photographer

Bill arrived in Plymouth in 1977 to work for the Community Crier. He also worked for the Plymouth Observer for many years. Bill, who taught photography at Madonna University, retired from what was left of the newspaper business in 2019 and now freelances. He’s happy to be back in the Plymouth community.

The Rock is a product of Journeyman Publishing, which assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information. Any form of reproduction of any content in this publication without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Comments are welcome at kurtkuban@therockmagazine.com

The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side

Welcome to another edition of The Rock Magazine. It’s hard to believe another month has gone by already and a quarter of the year is technically behind us. Time flies as you’re having fun and I hope you’re having as much fun reading our product as we have making it.

There were several stories that struck a particular chord with me this month: both the nuts and bolts of local government and the relentless optimism of some of the people I talked to in order to share their stories with you all.

First of all, I was surprised to see the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees reject the conditional rezoning for the proposed redevelopment of Sparr’s Nursery (story on pg. 26) I thought the reduced scope of the project, coupled with the voluntary restrictions on uses at the five-acre parcel at the corner of Lilley and Joy roads would be enough to win approval from the township—no matter how passionately the neighboring residents opposed it. That said, I personally don’t see how everything the developers have proposed for the site will fit there—even though it meets all setback requirements and is technically less dense than what could be constructed. I personally have a hard time judging distance when it comes to setbacks and berms that separate different uses on adjacent pieces of property. I also don’t believe the on-site parking will be adequate. The traffic near there is already pretty sketchy at several times each day, too—not just rush hour. Either way, I feel for the neighbors.

That brings me to the proposed wastewater treatment plant in Salem Township (page 4). I tip my hat to the estimated 700 or so people who attended the public hearing on the draft permit currently under consideration through the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). They spoke so eloquently and intelligently about their opposition to this plan. As I mentioned to a friend who works with EGLE: it’s rare to see such passion without profanity these days.

I’m curious to see if it will make a difference. Officials from EGLE were a bit dodgy on that. They said the public feedback was an essential part of the process and they did, in fact, welcome all of that public feedback at the hearing on April 4. They were also cautious to note that they could not base their decision based on the feedback, alone. They would take into consideration the health of the impacted water way—Tonquish Creek, where the estimated 840,000 gallons of treated water per day would be emptied, and the various streams and rivers it flows into throughout the Rouge River watershed. It’s funny, when you think about it: the tiny creatures that live in the stream might have a stronger voice than the nearby landowners, elected officials and business owners when all is said and done. If it was up to the neighbors, it would be a closed issue already and, in my humble opinion, rightly so. I’m not anti-development or anti-business, but I’m certainly proenvironment. This entire project doesn't seem well thought-out, at all.

Also in this issue, among the articles about local events and groups, you’ll find a story about Zach Floor, a Plymouth native currently walking across the country to raise awareness of people recovering from life-changing accidents—like his friend, Greg Mans. I was taken by Greg’s outlook on life—his new life—after an accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. It reminded me of another story I told back in my healthcare days about someone who taught me a lot about gratitude.

“No matter how bad you think your situation is,” that man told me, “there’s always someone who would give anything to be in your shoes.”

I think we tend to forget that in this day and age of snap judgments, manufactured outrage and general exasperation. It’s important to pause and remind ourselves of everything we have to be grateful for—even if we don’t always see it. Life can change in an instant.

Thanks again for reading and, as always, let me know what you think!

Residents of Plymouth, Northville and Canton townships flooded North Ridge Church in early April with a nearly unified message: Don’t let Salem Township’s mistake become Wayne County’s mess.

The message was in response to a proposed wastewater treatment plant that could be constructed near the border of Salem Township and Plymouth Township to support a longplanned development in Salem. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) hosted the meeting to get public feedback on the proposal.

“I thought it was very productive. I was thrilled with the turnout,” said Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise. “I think the EGLE folks got a

good hearing from everybody; they certainly got an earful. I don’t think anybody came forward in favor of this project.”

Initially scheduled for Salem Township Hall, Plymouth officials asked the public hearing be located at the church to accommodate a larger crowd. Township Police Chief James Knittel estimated about 700 people attended.

The proposed wastewater treatment plant is the latest in a string of attempts to provide sewer services to the Urban Services District, a 1,400-acre parcel along M-14 and designated for mixed-use development, in Salem Township that includes Salem Springs, a housing project that will bring more than 500 homes to a 200-acre parcel near the eastern corner of the

USD. When the zoning was implemented in the 1990s, the idea was to create a denser, more urban-like setting with a mix of homes, business and industry near the freeway, while preserving the rural nature of the western portion of Salem Township. The plant would discharge 840,000 gallons of treated wastewater into Tonquish Creek every day.

Salem Township had previously attempted to connect to the Ypsilanti Community Utility Authority (YCUA) and the Western Township Utility Authority (WTUA), which was created by and serves Plymouth, Northville and Canton. Superior Township denied a permit for the right-of-way needed to connect to YCUA, a decision that was eventually upheld in local courts as well as the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Heise said WTUA does not have capacity, and Plymouth Township officials recently approved a resolution that would require a unanimous vote from all three township supervisors to allow another community to join its infrastructure.

“WTUA is a $250 million asset and we’re not giving it away,” said Heise. “People have this notion that the WTUA sewer system has some kind of a button that you can

push or a drawbridge that you can open and allow Salem Township to simply add their discharge. It doesn’t work that way.

“Right now, the WTUA system does not have the capacity to handle a significant user like this proposed Urban Services District, which is only going to grow over time,” he added. “The WTUA system is designed for Plymouth, Canton and Northville—and we are still growing, Canton especially. We have hundreds of homes and businesses that are coming in. We still have capacity needs of our own.”

PERMIT PROCESS

EGLE has developed a draft permit in response to the request for the wastewater plant, but officials from the state agency said that is just a typical part of the process.

“It’s important to understand that we drafted this permit proposal, but it’s not a done deal yet,” said Phil Argiroff, acting director of the Water Resources Division of EGLE. “We are still looking at alternatives one more time and there’s other permits that we need to have before anything will move forward—and we have to consider all your comments.”

He also cautioned that, while EGLE must take public comment into account, the permit will

Salem Salem

“I think it’s important to put on the record that these residents have already been to hell and back with the Arbor Hills landfill. Here you have another situation where Salem’s waste is becoming Wayne County’s problem. It needs to be stopped.”

State Rep. Matt Koleszar

be granted or rejected based primarily on the impact it will have on the environment.

Those concerns are primarily what residents spoke up about during the hearing.

“It’s heart-warming to see this many people who care about the quality of our water; it’s a resource to be valued and respected,” said Sally Petrella, a watershed ecologist with Friends of the Rouge, an organization dedicated to preserving and restoring the Rouge River watershed.

FOTR has been opposed to the proposed developments all along. Petrella listed a number of fish species and other aquatic life that are present in Tonquish Creek that aren't seen in other parts of the Rouge River, adding that they could be adversely impacted by the treatment plant. “Picturing 840,000 gallons of water a day in where you’re putting it—it is already tiny; it’s hardly even a creek. Who is considering the quality of life in the stream, or does that not matter to EGLE?”

Christine Alexander, a section manager with EGLE, said concern for the habitat for those creatures and the overall health of the creek would factor heavily into the decision-making process.

“Our job under the law is to protect the waters of the state for all its designated uses: swimming, drinking water, irrigation, aquatic life, boating— all the things we enjoy,” she said. “Our permits must consider and be limited in such a way that protects the aquatic life.”

The other main areas of concern were the possibility for flooding downstream, odors and

the general aesthetic of having a wastewater treatment plant across the street from $500,000 homes.

Canton, Plymouth and Northville have all opposed the construction of the plant, and their elected representatives in Lansing have, too.

State Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield) agreed.

State Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth Township), who has sent letters in opposition, said it was another example of people in his district having to deal with issues from another; township residents have been dealing with the odor emanating from the Arbor Hills landfill on the Salem/ Northville border for years.

“While I realize emotional arguments may not play into your decision,” he told the EGLE representatives, “I think it’s important to put on the record that these residents have already been to hell and back with the Arbor Hills landfill. Here you have another situation where Salem’s waste is becoming Wayne County’s problem. It needs to be stopped.”

“I’ve talked to many, many people about this issue that’s been going on for a while, stemming from a development in a neighboring township where the developers want permission from their own township to add new residences, without having a plan for how to take care of their basic infrastructure needs,” she said. “It should fall upon the government that gave them those permits to build, to develop to make sure they included all those infrastructure needs, first—not just push it off onto their neighbors.”

opposition to this plan, but I fear this public hearing alone will not stop this facility from being built,” she said. “This is why I believe we need to offer solutions. We need all the residents here to demand and use their voices to their elected officials and say ‘get to the table and start talking.’ Canton Township is at that table.

“As leaders we are supposed to make decisions based on good public policy, not politics,” she added. “We need all the supervisors to say yes. Canton Township, Plymouth Township and Northville Township must say yes to WTUA. There are other solutions to be had. Canton has a solution that should be considered.”

ALTERNATIVES

Argiroff said it would be EGLE’s preferred solution as well, and added that the department would continue to look into it.

Others thought it made more sense to try again to tap into existing infrastructure. That included Canton Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak. She pointed out the extensive flooding that Canton has dealt with in recent years and said a regional solution is needed, adding that a new wastewater treatment plant wasn’t the best option.

“It’s important to voice our

“Our desire, our strong desire is to have them use existing infrastructure. That’s what we’ve been pushing on for probably a year or so while this application was received,” Argiroff said. “It’s the preferential alternative, to tie into that waste water treatment plant. Based on what has happened to date, it looks like those options appear precluded, but that does not mean that we are not going to continue to try to see if we can get a connection into existing infrastructure. We’re still considering other alternatives.”

Continued on page 6

Continued from page 5

Heise said, however, he doesn’t think the issue in a neighboring community does not necessarily warrant a regional solution. He pointed out that a new wastewater treatment plant would not alleviate the flooding issues since that is caused by stormwater runoff. If anything, the proposed development in Salem will worsen those conditions, due to the additional rooftops, asphalt and concrete that contribute to it.

“Plymouth Township, Canton and Northville—we did not create this problem,” he said. “We did not rezone land in Salem Township that didn’t have infrastructure. We didn’t buy the land in Salem Township that didn’t have infrastructure. This is not a problem for the three communities.

“They’ve created a crisis. Now they want us to solve their crisis,” he added.

Officials in Salem Township maintain that they would rather connect to existing infrastructure, as well.

“The township initially wanted to pursue municipal sewer service for the USD through a connection to the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) regional system. However, Superior Township took active steps to block the plan. Kurt Heise, the supervisor of neighboring Plymouth Township, also blocked economic development in the USD by working to deny Salem Township access to any sewer lines,” they said in a written statement. “The treatment facility will help improve our economy, create local jobs and alleviate Michigan’s ongoing housing crisis. The facility will also benefit our environment. Once fully operational, the wastewater treatment facility will reclaim

almost a million gallons of water a day, helping protect people’s lives and our water.”

Jim Ostrowski, an Outreach Manager for EGLE, thanked the crowd for voicing their opinions on the project and assured them that they would be heard throughout the process.

“The proposed permit is still a draft. This means that EGLE has not decided whether to issue the permit. Everything remains under consideration by EGLE, including whether

the permit will be issued,” he said. “We are happy to make note of your position, but please understand that EGLE is, by law, not allowed to base our decision on whether there is widespread support or opposition to the proposed project.”

The public comment period ended on April 14. Anyone who registered to talk at the public hearing or who has submitted comments online will be informed directly of the decision, once it is rendered.

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MORE THAN JUST CERAMICS

Village Potters Guild members form bond around art

By Sue Voyles | Photos by Ken Voyles

Most of us are familiar with downtown Plymouth, anchored by picturesque Kellogg Park and the Wilcox Fountain, surrounded by restaurants and shops. Then there’s Old Village, with its eclectic mix of eateries, businesses, vintage homes and various shops. But hidden away in what some might call “midtown Plymouth,” near the railroad tracks on Main Street, lies a hidden gem of creativity.

In a studio space behind the historic Markham Air Rifle building, the Village Potters Guild is a dedicated group of individuals who have been creating all forms of pottery since 1993. Normally busy with working artists and classes, the public will have an opportunity to visit the space in early May (more on that later).

“A bunch of potters got together and decided we wanted to create a space where we and future

potters could work together, share ideas and grow together,” says Plymouth Township resident Kathy Sandberg, a founding member of the Guild.

The founding members met in a private home at first, eventually looking for a studio space. They found their new home in 1995.

“One of the members knew someone who was interested in the arts and owned the space on Main Street,” says Sandberg, who has been creating pottery since 1971. “We have grown and gone through a lot of changes.”

Those changes include two expansions to the current 2,000 square-foot space at 326 North Main Street, as well as adding a fenced-in outdoor area for raku firing, used for creating raku ware, a type of Japanese pottery. The studio currently has nine electric wheels, a slab roller and wedging tables, along with electric and gas kilns.

The 18-member nonprofit

can do pottery as a hobby and take a class now and then,” says Newman, a member for seven years who considers pottery her hobby. “We have students who are more into it and take classes over and over and then they become members. We are leading them into an avenue where they can become a member.”

Newman adds, “When people take classes with us or a place like Schoolcraft College, they don’t learn how to mix glazes and fire kilns.” As students progress and want to join the Guild, “they go through a oneyear training and learn how to do things that a typical student doesn’t always know about. After that, you are most likely accepted as a member.”

organization draws its members from across the area, according to Kathleen Newman, Guild president and Plymouth resident.

“We have some folks who are newly out of college, and we also have probably more who are retired. The physical proximity to the Guild is a key factor, (because) a lot of stuff with clay and pottery – timing is everything. You need your work to be at the right stage to do certain things,” says Newman, who discovered pottery when she took a workshop during a vacation.

The Guild, also known as VPG, is not only highly involved in creating ceramics for practical uses as well as artistic beauty, members are also committed to engaging and educating the community.

“Our members are pretty invested. We pay dues and also contribute our time and expertise. We also want to spend time at the studio. You

The Guild typically offers three classes for adults twice a year. Classes run for 10-12 weeks and include clay, glaze and firing. Students can select from Intro to Ceramics and Intermediate/ Advanced Ceramics. During the term, students are also welcome to use the studio space to practice their skills.

While the classes are led by an instructor hired by VPG,

members are very involved in handling registration, assisting the instructors, loading and unloading kilns, and monitoring open studio time.

While experienced potters are invited to apply for VPG membership, guest membership is often the starting point for individuals who want to join

the Guild. That was the case for Southfield resident Rose Pengelly, who has a degree in ceramics.

“After attending college in Indiana and moving back home to Michigan, I was looking up guilds because I was part of a guild in school. I applied to be a guest member in February 2023,” says Pengelly, who became a full member a year later.

“We are a working guild. We are a good mix of hobbyists

and some who are considered production potters. A good amount of our membership comes from people taking our classes.”

While members are expected to clean the studio, make glazes, supervise open sessions, and participate in committees, membership in the organization also comes with perks. Those include 24-hour access to the studio and the equipment there, meeting monthly, working with like-minded individuals and participating in guild sales.

In addition to hosting booths at Art in the Park, two annual Guild sales are important for the group in a number of ways, says Pengelly, who is heading up the committee for the annual Spring Market, which will be held at the studio May 3-5, 2024.

This year’s annual sale features works of artist members, as well as eight invited guest artists, and offers a variety of functional and decorative ceramics for purchase.

“We transform the space and

have a gallery and shelves, and we invite guest artists to show their work. It’s always the week before Mother’s Day,” says Pengelly, who pursues pottery as her full-time vocation and also works at another studio teaching classes. “It’s a way to show off our members and what they have been doing and for artists to make some money. We will have a great selection of bowls, platters, vases, garden and home items, and jewelry.”

At the Spring Market the Guild will be selling bud vases made by members as a fundraiser.

“We have a couple of members who did the beginnings – extruded hollow forms. Each member got six bud vases to decorate. You can decorate it real fancy, add some flowers, fire it and then glaze it,” says Newman.

The majority of the profits from the markets go to the artists themselves, while the Guild retains a percentage to pay for the nonprofit’s ongoing expenses, says Newman. “The fundraiser is a newer idea for us that we have been doing the last 3-4 years.”

open to the public.

While the Guild is committed to growing and engaging artists and hobbyists through its classes, workshops, demonstrations and exhibits, the group has a strong desire to connect through a dedicated community outreach program.

In addition to participating in Plymouth Scarecrows in the Park, the Guild connects with students and faculty at New Morning School in Plymouth.

In a more visible demonstration of connecting with community, VPG joined forces with Pewabic Pottery and the Plymouth Community Arts Council to make and install a ceramic mural at the Plymouth Township offices on Haggerty Road.

While Newman says the local “pottery community in the area is pretty strong and growing…with

Similar to the spring event, the Guild puts on a Holiday Art Market, held the week before Thanksgiving. “We have more holiday-oriented items, like ornaments, for example. We see a lot of Christmas trees and specialized items,” adds Pengelly. All Guild markets are

Members provide onsite instruction to K-8 students at the school. Students work on the same ceramic project, adjusted for age group, and paint them with underglaze. Teachers and aides also assist. Once students finish their work, Guild members fire the pieces and return them to the school.

VPG regularly participates in local fundraisers for Empty Bowls, a movement by artists and crafts people to raise money for food-related charities to care for and feed the hungry in their communities.

The Guild also donated bowls to a fundraiser sponsored by SOS Community Services, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing and ending family homelessness in Washtenaw County.

Last year, VPG hosted an event for the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan. In addition to traditional team building activities, staff created ceramic work together, which was fired by Guild members.

more studios opening every day,” she and the other members hope more locals will take notice of the 20-plus year-old organization.

“We talk a lot about how to be part of the Plymouth community. We ask how people do not know about us? We are not exactly part of downtown Plymouth and not part of Old Village,” says Newman. “They built the new condos behind us…there must be hundreds of people in those condos, do they know they are looking down on a fabulous opportunity?”

Hot Wheels

Seniors in the Plymouth community will soon be able to get around in style.

The Plymouth Community Senior Transportation service took delivery this month of two 2023 Ford Transit 350 passenger vans that will be in use by the end of the month. Each sits 12 passengers and will service the community from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekdays.

“We think they’ll be more user-friendly,” said Township Supervisor Kurt Heise. “They’ll certainly be more efficient and easier to maintain.”

The vans were purchased in September from Signature Ford Lincoln in Owosso, but supply chain issues delayed their delivery. The two vehicles cost a combined $111, 280, which was funded through a variety of sources, including: a $50,000 grant from Pulte Family Trust, $25,000 from Township American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds, a $20,000 grant from an anonymous donor on behalf of PARC and additional matching funds from the City of Plymouth.

The service is available to any destination in the Plymouth

community (city and township), as well as occasional trips outside the community.

It’s proven a boon for seniors like Sandy Bailey, 67, who has lived in the community off and on for more than 40 years. She’s been using the service since September, when her last vehicle lease expired.

“Everyone said I was nuts to turn it in and not get a replacement, but everything was just too pricey,” she said. “Then I found this. I found I can experience my town, get out and visit the people. I was only going a few miles here and there anyway—it was a big waste of money.”

Gerry Olson, 89, agreed. She’s taken the senior bus throughout the community: to go shopping, to the drug store, hair appointments, physical therapy and more.

“I told my sister I was still comfortable driving, but this takes me everywhere I want to go,” Olson said.

Karen Croxton, a 71-year-old city resident, has been using the senior transportation services for more than a decade. It was previously based in the city Department of Public Works yard, then at the Cultural Center.

“I feel like I'm on a tour bus," said Croxton. "She never takes me home or brings me here the same way. And she knows how to get around and avoid all the trains.”

The service itself is easy to use. Seniors can call two days ahead-of-time to schedule a ride or fill out a monthly ride request sheet that will then be printed out and returned to them as reminders. Sometimes, it’s available with one day notice, depending on if there is a driver available. Trips cost $2 each way.

The services moved to the township in 2015 and is currently based at the Friendship State on Schoolcraft Road.

“Everybody is so pleasant and helpful—even as riders,” said

Kimberleigh Boyce, Plymouth Community Senior Transportation Manager/Senior Center Manager, said she hopes to start providing additional day trips once an additional driver has been hired and trained, to take seniors to places like Detroit Tigers’ games, the Detroit Zoo or other attractions.

“We’re still coming out of covid. With seniors it’s a little harder for them to get back

Croxton. “If somebody gets on the bus and has a little bit more difficulty moving, someone will stand back and help out.”

They said most of the credit for the pleasant experience rests in long-time driver Lisa, a life-long resident of the community. Her punctuality is nearly legendary among the nearly 300 seniors who use the service regularly. She knows the local history, usually greets riders with a joke-of-the-day or something inspirational.

socially and comfortable, because they were isolated for so long,” Boyce said. “We’re trying to offer different trips. We’re trying to build up and be better.”

In the meantime, Croxton said she doesn’t miss driving at all— although she does miss riding her old Harley.

“People are crazy out there,” she said. “Everyone is in a hurry to go everywhere—and they’re not paying attention.”

You can request a ride by calling (734) 459-8888.

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TIME FOR A REPLACEMENT?

Township considering new $8 million Lake Pointe Fire Station

By Brad Kadrich | Photos by John Heider

Everyone seems to agree it’s time to replace the aging fire station that has been serving the Lake Pointe area of Plymouth Township for nearly 50 years.

At its March 12 meeting, the township Board of Trustees was presented with an $8.4 million plan to do just that. The board first considered replacing the station last April and, when trustees couldn’t make a decision, they ordered a feasibility study.

Township Supervisor Kurt Heise said the township would have to consider going out for municipal bonds to fund the $8 million, a funding procedure with several steps, including getting public input. He said he doesn’t expect a decision until some time in May.

“This is a fire station built in 1976,” Heise said. “It’s inadequate for our modern equipment and our personnel needs. I think

after 50 years, it’s time for a new building.”

At the March 12 meeting, David Gassen, principal with Partners in Architecture, the Mt. Clemens firm hired to put the plan together, told trustees the new station – expected to be about 10,500 square feet and sit on the same general footprint that now holds the current station on Wilcox Road – would fit future equipment and personnel needs.

It was designed, he said, to house future equipment purchases and to better serve the community in emergency events. It would also accommodate additional firefighters when changes in staffing levels become necessary.

It would also include a separate turnout gear room, laundry and gear cleaning room with decontamination space and shower and a fitness area, too.

In defining the project, Gassen said, they took into account both a

30-year and a 50-year outlook into what the new station could be.

“The mission was to establish a highly functional and a costconscious building program,” Gassen said. “The purpose…

functional and effective place for them to be efficient in serving the community.”

Fire Chief Pat Conely agreed the current station is simply too small.

“We can’t even put our ladder truck in it,” said the 23-year veteran of the department. The current station only has living space for two firefighters and isn’t energy-efficient, he said.

When you realize Station 2 has only a single, gender-neutral rest room, he added, you realize “it’s a lot smaller than the other stations.”

There’s no room to build the new station and operate one on

is to accomplish the mission and, on a high level, to create an environment for the firefighters and visitors alike that is safe and healthy, and to provide a highly

the current footprint, so Conely said the station will have to relocate, likely for about a year. Firefighters would mostly likely be redistributed to the township’s

other two stations – Fire Station 1 in the township hall complex on Haggerty and Fire Station 3, on Beck near the M-14 interchange.

Those decisions – and the design of the new station – were made in consultation with and with the participation of township firefighters.

“(Partners in Architecture) came up with an initial design, and we kind of cut-and-pasted it,” said Conely, who replaced former chief Dan Phillips in April 2022. “(Firefighers) are the people who are going to be living

in the station, so we want them to feel they have the buy-in and not have something shoved down their throats.”

Trustee Bob Doroshewitz said the timing is right for the board to consider funding a new fire station, since the township faces “little debt” at the moment.

“I think it makes sense to consider replacement, given its age and capacity. We can afford it,” Doroshewitz said. “The logistics will be a challenge and I think that we need to be careful not to underestimate construction

costs. There's no sin in spending less than you budget for.

“We made significant money on investments in the past two years, and are currently in a good position to do that,” he added.

Heise said consultants can now start making decisions about materials and any design tweaks the project may need before being presented again to the board.

While there’s no need to rush it, he pointed out, the decision “has a lot of moving parts.”

Cost will obviously be a concern. Heise said he’d like to

take advantage of any interest rate cuts that could come from the Federal Reserve. However, Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has indicated such cuts likely wouldn’t come until later in the year.

“Construction costs are not going to come down anytime soon. Labor costs are not going to come down,” Heise said. “It's an inadequate building on many levels, and we should take advantage of the situation now while we have a great credit rating.”

Zachary Foor stepped onto the beach at Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware on March 25. His back to the Atlantic Ocean and the mouth of Delaware Bay, he set his sights west and started walking. His destination? The other side of the continent.

An avid hiker and outdoorsman, he became fascinated with the American Discovery Trail when he was studying journalism in Columbia, MO. But the journey to beginning his trek across the country took a few turns—and nearly a decade—before it came to fruition.

“I had the realization that I could actually do it,” said Foor, a Plymouth native, now 30 years old. “I also knew I wanted to do it for a bigger reason than just

“The biggest part is

just ripping the band-aid off and doing it.

That’s the hardest part of it. I know there will be difficult days ahead, but also really good days. I think maybe half of it is being stupid enough to just do it. Things will not go according to plan. You have to adapt, as well. You plan as well as you can.”

Zachary Foor, on the planning of his coast to coast trip

saying I did it.”

That reason revealed itself through a friendship Foor forged at his job at the Recovery Project in Livonia, an intensive physical therapy facility that works with people who have experienced life-changing injuries. Although he studied to be a journalist, he didn't graduate. Alcohol got in the way. He was getting his life back on track and looking for any type of job. His neighbor worked at the Recovery Project, and it piqued his interest.

“I played a lot of sports growing up, so physical therapy seemed kind of interesting,” he said. “Initially, I was just looking to get back on my feet.”

He signed on as a rehabilitation specialist in 2017, working with licensed therapists with their patients in hour-long sessions.

After a year-long break to work at a behavioral health clinic in Missouri, he returned to the Recovery Project in 2020—right about when the Covid epidemic hit. Short after that, he met Greg Mans, who had been paralyzed from the neck down after an accident in Hawaii.

“We had a shared interest in writing and backpacking. Pretty early on, maybe even from the very first session I worked with him, I knew two things: one, that I was going to be good friends with him and two, that I was going to learn a lot more from him than he was from me.”

A SHARED BOND

Mans doesn’t remember exactly what happened to him in 2020. He’s not even sure of the day. He was in Hawaii at

the time, working with a youth sailing group. The truck they used to put the boats in the water had stalled out and Mans crawled underneath it, screwdriver in hand, to see if he could get it started. He thought it was in park, but it wasn’t. He got the truck started, but it lurched and dragged him underneath it—his life had changed in an instant.

“I don’t even know what happened, but the bottom line is it got me good,” Mans said. He woke to find no sensation below his shoulders. He couldn’t walk or move any of his limbs. He was transferred to the Recovery Project to help him recover and, essentially, learn how to live with his new limitations. Before then, he had been as active as Foor. Fortysix at the time, he had a regular

circle: he worked as a fisherman in Alaska, helped out in Hawaii, and visited friends and family in Michigan during the offseason. He was an explorer by nature.

“I was in pretty good shape; life was going pretty well. I had a good circle,” said Mans, now 49. “In reality, we’re all right across a yellow line from a horrible experience. We swing by it all the time. In real life, things like this can go down, just like that. We’re an inch one way, or a moment another way from something like this—and things can happen fast. I think most of the time we’re just really lucky.”

Both men had a love of writing and exploring. Foor, although not working as a journalist, still kept it up. Mans used to write letters when he was out on his fishing boat—sometimes spending days on them, tweaking words as he described his experiences and thoughts, other times, hunkered

storm. They talked about where they had walked, what they had seen and they became fast friends.

“We hit it off pretty quick,” said Mans. “We had a lot of shared experiences. I told all the stories that I had in my bank. We just hit it off really good.”

“He talks like poetry reads,” said Foor. “He wore a lot of different hats, but he was always a person a service. He’s somebody that makes whatever pain you might be feeling at any moment—whether it’s psychological or physical—he helps you see the bigger picture. He’s just a big heart. He’s the reason I get up in the morning to do this.”

Mans continued to work with Detroit-based writing instructor Peter Marcum, using voice-totext software. Foor took a couple of sessions with Marcum as well, and that’s when the idea started to form: a cross-country trek to raise awareness about the struggles

who’ve experienced paralysis, as well as a fundraiser to create a writing therapy group for them.

“I can express myself through words. I can dictate through my phone or computer,” said Mans. “It really has helped me in a lot of ways deal with what I’ve had to leave behind. It’s a celebration. I think it’s been helpful to me in my loss. We want to make that available to others.”

“It particularly helped him rediscover meaning in his life and work through the psychological traumas of the things that had happened to him,” Foor added. “That’s when I got the idea of maybe doing a fundraiser in hopes of emulating the same experience for people in his demographic—and for their caregivers, because they also experience significant amount of trauma.

journaling and Greg—he’s basically the heart and soul of the whole thing.”

THE TRAIL

“Peter is building structure in the class,” he added. “I’m doing the walking and some

The American Discovery Trail is between 4,834 miles and 5,057 miles, depending on whether you take the northern or southern route. Starting in Delaware, the west end is at the Point Reyes National Seashore in California. Foor first learned of it when he was in Columbia, MO, running along a trail near campus that hooked up to the longer walkway. He overheard two cyclists talking about it, and how if they kept going they would reach the Pacific Ocean.

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“That’s when it became my brain baby, but I was 19 or 20 and not in a place to do it,” he said. “I’ve wanted to do it ever since.”

Last year, he started to plan in earnest. He started putting away the money he’d need. He visited online communities of people who had either walked it or planned to. He talked with trail

journeys in life, he said the hardest part was taking the first step.

“The biggest part is just ripping the band-aid off and doing it. That’s the hardest part of it,” Foor said. “I know there will be difficult days ahead, but also really good days. I think maybe half of it is being stupid enough to just do it. Things will not go according to plan. You have to adapt, as well. You plan as well as you can.”

and he started getting in shape. An avid basketball player from grade school through high school, Foor also ran track. His family, initially horrified, quickly signed on to support him. At the end of March, they were all in Delaware to see him off.

SO FAR, SO GOOD

The plan has already changed, a little. He’s lightened his load by stripping non-essentials from his 40-pound backpack. He started relatively slowly, seeking to get 10 miles a day at first, then 15 miles. He’s working his way up to 20 miles a day, a pace he should reach any day now. He started out walking about two miles per hour; now, his pace is closer to three.

“I’m building a rhythm. It’s all about rhythms. I’m still working on my routine,” said Foor in early April. About 80 miles in, he was just short of a shelter at Tuckahoe State Park in

swings the other way. You can’t get too high or too low. The most important thing is to just keep walking.”

And walk he will. It takes about 10 or 11 months to walk the entire trail. Foor said he intends to spend the winter in Colorado working on a friend’s horse ranch, then continue when the weather turns again. He estimates his journey will take about 19 or 20 months. Each night, he’ll stop and write a brief entry into his

More than 200 miles in, things are going okay. Like many other

Maryland at the time, determined to get there an hour before sundown. “It’s similar to ultra marathons. You go through peaks and valleys. There might be times when, mentally, you’re not going to be where you want to be. But the pendulum always

country trek is a metaphor for life, itself.

“No matter what circumstance you’re in, the adventure awaits right now,” said Mans. He was in a modified van at the time, complete with an accessible ramp and built in massage table. He and his twin brother, Jeff, were visiting friends in Maine and New Hampshire after seeing Foor off. “No matter what the facts tell you—whether it’s a tragedy or a comedy—you can pick what you want to grow.

journal, which can be found at www.certainsteps.org. It also features their backstory, photos of interesting sights and a link to contribute to the fundraiser.

Both men said the cross-

I think you can look at life like that.

“You just have to get out there and the rest takes care of itself. The hardest part is just beginning. That’s the ingredient to the soup, right there.”

HYDROGEN HUB

Township lands innovative $400m hydrogen engine project

By Scott Spielman

While Plymouth Township officials are still waiting to see plans for a hydrogen engine construction plant proposed for the west side of the township, but the project is indeed moving forward.

Lars Nermoen, head of communications for NEL ASA which is based in Oslo, Norway, said he does not yet have a definitive timetable for construction of a new facility off Ridge Road, but the company is excited about locating in Plymouth Township.

Announced last September, the NEL Hydrogen plant represents a $400 million investment in the community that will bring more than 500 jobs to Plymouth Township. Located at 15000 Ridge Road, the 507,000 square-foot facility will sit in a 100-acre parcel currently being developed within the Michigan International Technology Center (MITC) Redevelopment Authority.

“Plymouth Charter Township is an ideal location for Nel,” said Håkon Volldal, CEO of NEL Hydrogen when the project was announced last fall. “Here, we have access to a highly educated workforce, universities and research institutions, and we are close to our collaborating partner, General Motors. In addition, the Government and the authorities of Michigan have provided a very attractive financial support package for us.”

That financial support recently received a $50 million boost, according to U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell. The grant is from the U.S. Department of Energy’s

state assistance, it brings the total incentive to nearly $75 million.

“This investment will create hundreds of good-paying jobs, bring millions of dollars to our local economy, and keep Michigan at the forefront of clean energy innovation and technology,” Dingell said. “Green hydrogen is one of the most promising technologies in the transition to a clean energy future and will support the industries that have long been central to our state, from mobility to manufacturing. I'm proud to have Nel Hydrogen here in Plymouth Township and will continue to work to make sure Michigan leads the way in the fight against climate change and work to achieve a net-zero economy."

Hydrogen Fuel Technologies Office and is part of a $750

The project represents a win in Michigan officials’ attempt to make the state the center of evolving hydrogen technology, based on a report issued last year by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the University of Michigan that indicated Michigan was poised to play a significant role in accelerating

million investment in 52 projects across 24 states. Coupled with

clean-energy transition away from fossil fuels in the future.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer met with leaders from NEL Hydrogen last January during an economic investment mission to Norway and Switzerland that focused on attracting job-creating businesses to the state, particularly to aid in the development of next-generation of automotive manufacturing and clean energy technology.

“Nel Hydrogen chose Michigan over several other states and nations because of our skilled workforce, strong network of universities, and world-leading mobility industry. Together, we will keep building on our leadership in cars, chips, and clean energy and share our story to bring even more jobs and investments home to Michigan,” Whitmer said when the project was announced last year.

Township Supervisor Kurt Heise said the plant will be a focal point of the MITC that

will hopefully attract other companies that will convert the former prison property into a technological hub.

“What we’re hoping for is a lot of spinoff businesses from NEL, high-tech businesses and research and development,” he said. “That’s really what we’re hoping for.”

He said he’ll also purse a Hydrogen Hub designation for the area to help attract other high-tech companies. The U.S. Department of Energy has allocated up to $8 billion to develop Hydrogen Hubs across the country; the funding will help alleviate development costs to bring the emerging technology to the county.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be through tax breaks or

got a lot of valuable land out there that could be developed for that.”

Land has been cleared for the project, but township planners have not seen any schematics, yet. They were expecting the project to go up for site plan approval in February. It was not on the planning commission agenda for either of the March meetings, said Plymouth Township Planner Laura Haw.

Heise said he thought the company was waiting for the announcements of the federal funding before submitting plans and wasn’t worried that they had not yet seen any architectural drawings.

“I know this is a complex deal. There’s a lot of federal money involved,” he said. “We’re just

“This investment will create hundreds of good-paying jobs, bring millions of dollars to our local economy, and keep Michigan at the forefront of clean energy

When Vickie Krause looks around her Plymouth Township home she sees treasure—musical treasure—in every corner. Crammed in drawer after drawer across 15 giant file cabinets are endless musical scores, a record of over 60 years of music performed by the Plymouth Community Band (PCB).

Krause, a longtime band player and past treasurer of the group, said her role as music librarian reminds her every day of just how special Plymouth’s decades old community group remains.

Now take this dedicated librarian, add a 96-year-old old saxophone player and mix in a conductor with 45 years on the podium and you get a better idea of what makes this treasure glow so bright among Plymouth’s cultural diamonds. Its heart is music, but its soul is the people who make the music, catalog the music, conduct the music

and who let their passion shine through each time on stage, whether they be a 20-year-old college student or a 96-year-old.

Performing a dozen concerts each year highlighted each summer with rousing concerts in Kellogg Park, the band is now 64 years old, having been founded by a handful of local musicians in 1960.

Today every show is free to the community and a popular showcase for a vast array of symphonic musical styles, from marches to jazz, from show tunes and movie music to patriotic songs, comic numbers and the great American songbook.

And it’s not hard to catch the enthusiasm when talking to people like Krause or Irv Feldman, the group’s longest performing musician, and their beloved conductor Carl Battishill.

“We have all of these amazing volunteer musicians who just love to play, for themselves and

August) with the band. Longtime players and new members mix together for their biggest shows each summer in Kellogg Park but mostly they play at First United Methodist Church.

Supported by a few hundred donors each year, the band prides itself on being self-governed— making decisions together about the music and striving to function with as little money as possible.

So what’s in those file cabinets in Krause’s home? Thousands of pieces of sheet music, both traditional and contemporary, with plenty of solo and ensemble pieces and even novelty numbers. New music is added all of the time and older numbers return to the lineup but only on an irregular basis.

“We don’t want to just do the same pieces over and over,” says Krause, “so we collect and collect music. Our first librarian Doug McCleod started it as his personal collection and gave it to the band. We have music from the 1930s and

for others,” says Krause, who has performed with the band for over 40 years, from clarinet to percussion. “We’re a giving community for the community and we get it back from our audiences.

“A few years ago when we became a non-profit, we wrote that our purpose is simply to come together musically for ourselves and for others,” Krause adds. “All our concerts are free and we don’t ask for money except once a year.”

THE LIBRARIAN

Krause, who was the group’s treasurer for 17 years, first got involved after seeing one of their concerts in Kellogg Park 42 years ago, vowing then to join something that seemed unique, felt nostalgic and reminded the former teacher of her high school days.

She is one of more than 60 amateur musicians from Plymouth and other area communities who perform all year long (except for

1940s, horse and buggy music, bugle call boogie—you name it.”

THE SAXOPHONE PLAYER

Historically the Plymouth Community Band became when a group of seven locals dressed up as a German “oompah” band and decided to play in the Fourth of July parade. By January of 1961 the town newspaper was putting the word out about a new community band and 20 musicians soon showed up.

A high school band director named Irv Feldman showed up as well in 1966 and has performed with the group ever since. The former Plymouth resident is 96 and lives in Westland. He mostly plays sax but has also played oboe and clarinet (he has degrees in performing for all three).

Besides the full band Feldman also performs with the group’s smaller dance and jazz bands and “the Phase,” which includes about 17 members. Bottom line he just loves playing.

“It keeps me busy and it’s one of the main things that keeps me alive,” jokes Feldman. “We perform a lot. I like performing. I started doing some solos and people loved it, so I love that too.”

Feldman says getting on stage with music in his heart is the best feeling of all, and he finds the band’s consistency over the many decades to be a remarkable thing.

“We have always been a very good band,” he says.

Like the band itself, Feldman says one of the secrets to his longevity is being a “very consistent person” with a very balanced approach to life. His goal is to make band practice each week, perform in front of others and be part of what he calls a “friendly band” that’s nice to be a part of.

Besides playing in Plymouth, the group sometimes performs for college graduations, at senior living centers, and this summer will travel to Frankenmuth to perform.

“We try to do things for the community as much as possible,”

says Feldman, who retired from the U.S. Air Forces and still wears his favorite beret when on stage. “We started this with just a few people but now we’ve grown as Plymouth and Canton have grown.”

Starting at a young age, music has been a part of his entire life, as a student, a performer, a director and a teacher.

THE CONDUCTOR

Over the years the band has had only three conductors. Carl Battishill, who has led the group for 45 years, still remembers his first time climbing up on the conductors podium after taking the job in 1979.

A band teacher at Canton High School, Battishill found out about the band’s opening and auditioned for the conductor role.

“I was 27 years old and more than a little intimidated by it all,” says the Plymouth resident of over 45 years. “I distinctly remember standing in front of the audience in the park with my three by five cards nervously introducing the songs. The music wasn’t hard but for me it was a new environment. It was pretty scary.”

Now even being as ingrained as he is as the group’s leader Battishill still finds the experience “fresh” every week whether practice and a concert.

“It all has its delights, its challenges, its surprises and its humor,” says the former music educator who learned trumpet at aged seven. “There’s something very very special about this group of people. Most of us have been at it for quite a while and know each other well.”

In a nutshell the group’s leader describes the band as a symphony orchestra without the strings, made up of amateurs who may have started in high school or college and who are looking for a place to keep playing as an adult.

“They love playing their instruments, that’s what keeps us together,” he says. “This is a great vehicle for doing just that surrounded by others who enjoy it also. Though we're amateurs when we play, we stack up very well— and we do the music justice.”

Battishill, who retired a few years ago, decided early on to study music education with a specialty in conducting. Even though he displayed talent as a trumpet player, now it’s his vast knowledge that helps over so many years and with such diverse music.

“We play a real array of music,” he says. “It runs the entire gamut for a band. We look to the U.S. military bands and British military band traditions. Every now and then we play a piece that reaches inside of me and hits something way deeper. It’s not every week or every concert but music can take my breathe away, still.”

Battishill has strong praise for Krause’s dedication as well as the

PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY BAND –IN CONCERT

Here are some dates to keep in mind if you want to check out the community band this summer.

- May 4 at 7 p.m.

A special combined concert with the Canton Concert Band will be held at the Village Theater at Cherry Hill.

- May 17 at 7 p.m.

The next regular band performance will be held at First United Methodist Church of Plymouth on North Territorial Road.

- Summer Concerts:

The start of the band’s summer schedule in Kellogg Park is Thursday, May 30 at 7 p.m. They will perform on Thursday evenings throughout the summer supported by funds from the Wilcox Foundation.

members of the group who help make collective decisions and the concept of playing for free.

“That’s a very satisfying part of our organization,” he says. “We couldn’t do this without what Vicki does handling all our music. Just as important we decided a long time ago to function with as little money as possible. We tried to charge for tickets once and it made us miserable. We said never again.

“We’re playing because we love to play,” Battishill adds.

And so the real treasure lies just here – a community of people like the librarian, the saxophone player and the conductor banded together by music.

Canton dominates on the hardwood, gymnasts make mark at state finals

By Brad Emons

There were several “Kodak Moments” that highlighted the 2023-24 winter sports season for the three high schools that are part of Plymouth-Canton Educational Park.

Salem, Plymouth and Canton certainly made an imprint as they put together a scrapbook of great memories.

Here is a capsule look back on all the MHSAA athletic teams from The Park and some of their memorable achievements.

GYMNASTICS

Both Salem and Plymouth earned a trip to the state team finals March 8-9 at Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills with Rockford repeating as team champion with 144.00 points to edge Farmington (143.80) and the Rocks (143.325).

Meanwhile, the Wildcats placed sixth (139.15).

In the Division 1 individual finals, Salem’s Kate Stewart

placed second in the all-around (36.675) thanks to a runner-up finish on the uneven bars (9.425); third, floor exercise (9.6); fifth, balance beam (9.425); and a tie for sixth on vault (9.3). Teammate Claire Donoher added a 10th on floor (9.375).

Canton’s Reese Maddock was seventh in the all-around (36.65) highlighted by a tie for ninth on

beam (9.2) and a 10th on vault (9.2).

Plymouth’s Lia Pinkosky earned ninth in the all-around (36.025) highlighted by an eighth on floor (9.45). Teammate Ava Demchinski was runner-up on beam (9.575) and added a fifth on floor (9.55).

In the Division 2 individual, Salem’s Anna Barcyzk was champion in the vault (9.3) and floor (9.45) enroute to a second in the all-around (36.65). Zoey Prosser took eighth in the balance beam (8.825) and Lauren Wegienka tied for 10th on the balance beam (8.8) for the Rocks.

Plymouth’s Alex Cinzori was fourth in the D2 all-around (35.425) thanks to second on floor (9.425) and a fourth on beam (9.15). Teammate Giuliana Serapiglia tied for seventh on floor (9.175).

Canton’s Avery Wolf tied for eighth on vault (8.85).

At the Salem regional, the host

Rocks captured the team title with 143.250 points followed by Northville (140.825) and Plymouth (140.200) as state qualifiers. Canton was fourth (139.525).

Stewart captured the D1 vault (9.425) and uneven bars (9.475), while Demchinski captured the floor (9.775). Pinkosky was the all-around champ (36.325).

Among the D2 individual event winners included Barczyk in the vault (8.95) and beam (9.15), along with Cinzori on floor (9.6).

BOYS BASKETBALL

Canton (19-5, 14-0), coached by Jimmy Reddy, earned the KLAA West Division title and reached the Association title game before falling to Dearborn, 65-52.

After edging Plymouth, 56-54, in the second round, secondseeded Canton earned a spot in the Division 1-District 15 title game before falling to Wayne Memorial, 71-64.

Senior guard Bradley Eziuka and senior forward Devon Pettus were named to the sevenplayer All-Conference Select team, while senior guard Caleb Williams and junior guard Teddy Winstel were both AllConference. Senior Alexander Persinger earned honorable mention.

Senior guard Ryan Peters of Salem (7-17, 5-9 KLAA West) made All-KLAA while senior Mitch Robillard earned honorable mention.

Senior center Idrys Cotton of Plymouth (5-19, 2-12) earned All-Conference and senior Zack Jones was named honorable mention.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

It was a banner season for Canton (21-6, 9-5 KLAA West) as the Chiefs captured the Division 1-District 14 title at Salem with a 40-29 triumph over Northville.

Canton, coached by Kayla Bridges, defeated Dexter, 45-37, in the Regional 4 semifinals before falling to eventual D1 state semifinalist Belleville, 61-23.

Canton senior center Justice Tramble (South Carolina State) made the seven-player AllKLAA Select team, while senior forward Marisa Cribari and senior guard Maya Joiner made All-Conference. Junior Ava Murphy was named honorable mention.

Salem (14-8, 8-6) was led by Miss Basketball Finalist Madison Morson (Central Michigan), who made the All-KLAA Select team. Junior forward Leilah Howard made All-Conference, while freshman Julia Steinhebel earned honorable mention.

Senior forward Elenia DiMaria made All-Conference for Plymouth (5-19, 2-12), while sophomore Mackenzie Dicken was earned honorable mention.

BOYS HOCKEY

Salem (12-13-2, 6-3-2 KLAA)

earned a spot in the Division 1-Regional 8 finals before falling to host Livonia Stevenson, 3-2, in double-overtime at Edgar Arena.

The Rocks’ junior forward Dominic Chaput earned secondteam D1 All-State honors by the Michigan Interscholastic Boys Hockey Association.

Chaput also earned AllKLAA honors along with junior defenseman Cameron Eichner and junior forward Karsen Patel.

Senior forward Matt LeClair and junior defenseman Quinn Fitchett made All-KLAA for Plymouth (12-15, 5-10), while freshman forward Will Schley also earned All-Conference for Canton (5-20-2, 2-13-1).

WRESTLING

Salem junior Ayush Kunjadia (138 pounds) earned All-State honors by finishing eighth in the Division 1 individual finals held Feb. 29-March 2 at Detroit’s Ford Field.

Kunjadia, a regional and district runner-up, finished with a 20-6 record. Teammate Gavin Holcombe (132), a sophomore, also qualified for ‘states’ and finished 40-11 after taking fourth in the regional and third at the district.

Plymouth boasted a pair of state qualifiers in senior Sam Plencer (165) who won a district title and finished 46-13 overall, along with junior Joe Portman (215), who took second in the

district and third at the regional to wind up 45-6.

On the girls side, Plymouth junior Marissa Richmond (145) was a state individual qualifier and posted a 13-11 overall record.

Northville defeated Plymouth in the District 120 team final, 54-24, after the Wildcats had eliminated Salem (37-36). Canton was ousted by Northville in the other semifinal (68-6).

In KLAA tourney, Hartland captured the team title with 296.5 points, while Brighton was runner-up with 233.5. Salem placed 10th (48), Plymouth 12th (34.5) and Canton 15th (19).

Holcombe took third at 132, while Plencer was also third at 165.

BOYS SWIMMING

In the Division 1 finals held March 8-9 at Oakland University, Plymouth placed 19th overall with 34 points, while Salem was 21st with 33.

Salem senior Luke Fava earned All-State (top eight) honors with a fifth in the 500-yard freestyle (4:39.06) and a sixth in the 200 freestyle (1:42.03). Teammate Ben Swanton, a senior, added an 11th in the 500 freestyle (4:44.32).

The Wildcats’ 200 medley relay quartet of senior Albert Chen, Holdridge, Durecka and Herrero placed 16th (1:38.63). Holdridge contributed a 15th in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.34).

In the KLAA ‘A’ meet, Northville ran away with the team title with 1,084 points with rival Novi a distant second with 575. Canton was fourth (498), Plymouth sixth (485) and Salem seventh (482.

Fava was runner-up in the 200and 500 freestyles with times of 1:43.95 and 4:43.74, respectively.

Other top three podium finishers from the Park included Durecka, third, 100 freestyle (47.68) and 200 freestyle (1:44.81); and Salem’s Nicholas Carslon, third, 50 freestyle (22.35).

Plymouth’s 200 medley

relay team of Chen, Holdridge, Durecka and Herrero placed runner-up (1:38.89), while also taking second in the 200 freestyle relay (1:43.95) behind Durecka, Herrero, Holdridge and Frisch.

Salem’s 400 freestyle relay team of Carlson, Swanton, junior Daniel Shi and Fava contributed a third (3:19.06).

GIRLS BOWLING

Plymouth (16-0, 14-0 KLAA West) ran away with the title followed by Canton (10-5, 9-4)

Continued on page 24

Plymouth junior Eric Durecka placed ninth in the 200 freestyle (1:43.26) and added a 10th in the 100 freestyle (47.36). He also teamed up with junior Emilio Herrero, junior Mark Holdridge and sophomore Adam Frisch for a 10th in the 200 freestyle relay (1:28.64).

Continued from page 23

i n fourth and Salem (0-15, 0-14) in 14th.

In the Division 1 team regional at Canton’s Super Bowl, Livonia Franklin (2,967) and Westland John Glenn (2,856) earned the two team state qualifying berths, while Canton and Plymouth placed fifth and sixth, respectively, with 2,494 and 2,488.

Canton senior Michelle Scopone earned an individual singles state qualifying spot placing sixth in the regional with six-game total of 1,107, including a high game of 212.

At the state finals held March 2 at Allen Park’s Thunderbowl Lanes, Scopone was 54th in the qualifying round with an 891.

Other top regional finishers from ‘The Park’ include Plymouth senior Emerson Mielke, 13th, 1,018 (high 213);

Plymouth senior Brianna Swickard, 18th, 959; Plymouth sophomore Bella Bozinovski, 20th, 932; and Salem sophomore Erin Kierschke, 26th, 855.

BOYS BOWLING

Plymouth earned a spot in the D1 team finals March 1 at Thunderbowl Lanes and wound up 10th in the qualifying round with a 3,427 total, including a 1,111 in Game 1 followed by a 921 in Game 2.

The Wildcats posted a high Baker game of 222, but it wasn’t enough to earn a spot in the match play.

The Wildcats’ two individual singles qualifiers included junior Carter Swanson, who took 34th in the qualifying block with a 1,111 (high 222), along with senior Dakota Law, who was 53rd with 999 (high 201).

Law was the Regional 7 singles champion with a total of 1,271 highlighted by a 252 game, while Swanson placed seventh with a 1,222 (high 241).

Livonia Churchill (3,777) and Plymouth (3,593) finished one-two at the team regional followed by Salem (fourth, 3,378) and Canton (11th, 2,829).

Churchill captured the KLAA title with a perfect 15-0 record, while Plymouth was runner-up at 14-1 and captured the West Division title at 13-1. Salem (124, 11-3), while Canton finished 11th (6-10, 6-8).

SKIING

Canton’s Sophia Shingles placed runner-up in the slalom (52.79) and added a fifth in

the giant slalom (41.68) at the Division 1-Region 3 meet held Feb. 14 at Alpine Valley.

Shingles earned a spot in both events for the D1 finals held Feb. 26 at Boyne Highlands where

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she placed 24th in the slalom (79.04) and 36th in the GS (72.52).

The Canton girls were 11th at the regional (343), while the boys were 13th (435).

Zach McMahon was the Chiefs’ top placer in the slalom (41st) and GS (42nd).

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TOWNSHIP BOARD REJECTS CONDITIONAL REZONING OF SPARR’S PROPERTY

By Scott Spielman

The plan to redevelop the northwest corner of Lilly and Joy roads suffered a setback recently, when the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees unanimously rejected a proposed conditional rezoning on the site.

Treasurer Bob Doroshewitz, one of two ‘no’ votes when the project came to the planning commission last month, made the motion to reject the rezoning, which passed 6-0. Trustee Jen Buckley was absent.

The board listed the neighbors’ desire to keep the property zoned for residential uses, along with concerns over what would eventually have been constructed there among their reasons for rejecting the plan.

“I recognize the developer has a right to develop the land and we’ve given them several opportunities to come up with a workable plan,” said Township Supervisor Kurt Heise. He said he even invited the developers to come to the board of trustees last

year to give a general overview of what they wanted to do there.

“We were left very confused as to exactly what they wanted to put in there. I think it was too much of a leap to make that kind of commitment and then go into a PUD project that would end up with an unfavorable outcome for them.”

Naji Kahala, a developer of the proposed project, said he was disappointed in the decision, but still determined to redevelop the property.

“I’m not surprised, based on what an uphill battle this has been,” he said after the vote. “The disappointing thing is that all we’re trying to do is ask permission to ask permission. There’s no risk to the township here.”

Kahala had requested a conditional rezoning from R-1 residential use to commercial use to allow for additional buildings to be constructed. The voluntary conditions placed on the zoning would control what would

the board of trustees meeting revolved around whether the senior facility would be a longterm assisted living facility or a short-term rehabilitation center, and the amount of staffing each would require. Trustees also wanted to know if the office space at the mixed-used building would be limited to services that supported the facility.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SITE

eventually be constructed on the property.

Initially, the project included two three-story multi-family buildings to be constructed along the north side of the five-acre parcel, along with the twostory mixed-building closer to the corner. The second version included three smaller multifamily buildings, a reduced footprint for Sparr’s Nursery, and more open space.

The third version replaced the multi-family buildings with a single, one-story senior living facility that would include 16 units in three wings—or 48 total—around a central dining and activity center. The mixeduse building would be officerelated uses on the first floor and eight, thousand-square-foot apartments on the second floor. Sparr’s would continue to operate out of a smaller footprint—the greenhouses north of the main building would be removed and the others, improved.

Part of the discussion at

RD

The answer: not necessarily. “We would market the building and see what the market would tell us,” said architect Scott Wright.

Kahala said he would most likely take the matter to court to force the township to follow the recommendation of the planning commission, which granted approval on a 4-2 vote in March.

“This is our final proposal. We’ve followed the recommendations of the planners at every step. Each time it’s been progressively less intense. I don’t understand why we are being portrayed as villains when we are not. It’s frustrating to have your reputation and credibility beat up when we’re trying to do nothing but improve that corner.”

Heise said he hoped the matter wouldn’t end up in court. He said about 16 single family homes could be constructed there without any need for rezoning and he hoped the developers would continue to look for alternatives.

“I’m not sure litigation is the answer here. I think they need to go back to the drawing board. I would hope they would come back with some other alternative for the site and we would entertain that,” he said.

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